Mind And Body Connection Essay

How the Mind and Body are Connected

As human beings we tend to believe that our mind and body function as two separate systems. However, that is not entirely the case. Everything that we think about in our mind has a direct correlation to the way our body feels. Whether you are aware of it or not we all experience mind and body connections in our everyday lives. What you put in your mind can either make you or break you, it all depends on what thoughts you decide to let enter. Negative thoughts can lead to anxiety, depression, stomach ulcers, and many other avoidable illnesses. While positive thoughts can lead you on a path to great success. With that being said, here are some ways that the mind and body connect: Your emotions can affect

It is in our human nature to react negatively to stressful situations. We over think ourselves into depression and many other illnesses while doing so. In the article 7 Facts about the Mind-Body Connection, Caroline Bearden says, “If we are constantly thinking negative, self-destructive thoughts, our bodies will follow suit. Emotional and mental imbalance can start as something like stress-induced headaches, tight shoulders, and a sore upper back, and lead to unhealthy weight gain or loss, insomnia, and high blood pressure.” (1) This is saying that when we put negative thoughts in our head, our bodies take the fall for it. What you believe in your head comes to physical form and if you continue to let stress take over your body, then your body will eventually fall into a state of illness that will be hard to get out. When our body and mind are out of balance it makes it hard to function on the daily. However, maintaining a positive mindset clears the way for you to live a healthy life. Being able to cope with stress can greatly help the human body system in ways you couldn’t imagine. Bearden states, “On the other hand, we can make a conscious effort to think more positively and to develop healthy coping mechanisms for life’s stress and trials. Over time, the state of our emotional and mental health can hurt or help the body’s immune system.”

In the article The Science of Mind and Body Therapies, the NCCIH video series states, “Mind and body practices—such as tai chi, yoga, and meditation—focus on the interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, with the intent to use the mind to affect physical functioning and promote health.” (1) By involving yourself in yoga, tai chi, and other practices you are enabling yourself to live a peaceful, joy filled life. This quote is telling you that your behavior is all based on what state your mind is in and when you focus on these types of therapies you can free your mind from all stress. As human beings in order to live fully functioning life we need to be able to avoid toxic emotions. You need to be aware and present on the things that are going on in your life. Jennifer Weinberg says “ Jennifer Weinberg says “ To avoid the buildup of toxic emotions, you need to remain present and aware. Paying attention allows you to identify emotions as they arise, process them, and choose how you react. One way to effectively express, feel, and get your feelings out is to talk about them. This can be done out loud by speaking with a trusted friend or therapist—or on paper through a journaling practice.” Weinberg is telling us that we should really pay attention to our emotions and not neglect them. We we are able to realize what are emotions are and control them, then we are one step closer to living a life avoiding those non-toxic emotions. It